Air conditioner comprising a ion generating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners with ion generating devices are limited in their ability to continuously disinfect and maintain air quality when the air conditioning operation is stopped, and they require periodic refilling of sterilizing solutions, leading to potential bacterial or microorganism propagation during non-operation periods.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner with an ion generating device that includes a fan and a detachable ionizer, allowing continuous operation and easy maintenance, with a fan design that minimizes airflow resistance and provides ions to a disinfection target space, and a control method that adjusts operation based on air conditioning time and fine dust levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterilization kit using sterilizing solution is used to remove bacteria or microorganisms, then sterilization effect is improved, but device complexity and maintenance burden increase due to periodic refilling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The ion generating device automatically generates ions to sterilize the duct interior without requiring external intervention for refilling or maintenance. The device serves itself by continuously or periodically emitting ions to kill bacteria and microorganisms, eliminating the need for manual sterilizing solution refilling associated with traditional sterilization kits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical liquid-based sterilization system (sterilization kit requiring manual refilling) with an electrostatic field-based ion generation system. The ion generator uses high voltage to create ions that naturally disperse and sterilize the duct, substituting mechanical refilling operations with an automated electrical field mechanism.
2Reliability
If sterilizing solution is loaded in the airflow during air conditioning operation, then sterilization is achieved, but the system cannot prevent bacterial propagation when air conditioning operation is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The ion generating device is designed to operate continuously or periodically regardless of air conditioning mode. It can function independently of the blower operation, maintaining sterilization capability whether the air conditioning system is running or stopped, thus ensuring continuous protection against bacterial propagation in the duct.
Solution Approach 2:
The ion generating device serves multiple functions: it can operate during air conditioning mode to sterilize circulating air, and independently operate when air conditioning is stopped to prevent bacterial growth in the duct. This multi-functional design allows the same device to address sterilization needs in both operational states of the air conditioning system.
3Use of energy by moving object
If ion generating device operates only while blower is operating, then energy consumption is reduced, but bacterial or microorganism propagation cannot be prevented during non-operation periods
Solution Approach 1:
The ion generating device operates periodically rather than continuously, cycling between active ion generation and standby states. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation while still maintaining effective sterilization by regularly dispatching ions into the duct to kill bacteria and prevent propagation during non-operation periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables continuous disinfection even when air conditioning is stopped, maintains air quality, and reduces maintenance complexity, while optimizing ion distribution and airflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The ion generating device generates negative ions or positive ions by applying a pulsed high voltage to a discharge electrode. The electric field formed by the high voltage applied to the discharge electrode accelerates free electrons in the surrounding air, and the accelerated free electrons collide with neutral molecules in the air, such as nitrogen or oxygen, to ionize the neutral molecules.
Implementation Method 2
The electric field formed by the high voltage applied to the discharge electrode accelerates free electrons in the surrounding air
Implementation Method 3
a fan which is coupled to one side of the body, and causes a flow of air passing through an inside of the body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
Disclosed are an ion generating device and an air conditioner having the same. The air conditioner may include a housing; a blower configured to cause a flow of air passing through an inner space of the housing; a heat exchanger located in the inner space of the housing; and an ion generating device spaced apart from the heat exchanger and coupled to an inner side of the housing, wherein the ion generating device may include an ionizer; and a fan configured to cause a flow of an ion generated in the ionizer, wherein one of the blower and the ion generating device may be operated while the other may be stopped.